Laparoscopic Apparatus for Performing Electrosurgical Procedures

ABSTRACT

A system and apparatus for irrigating a surgical site during an electrosurgical procedure are disclosed. The system includes a hand piece having an elongated housing connected to a multi-lumen tube extending proximally from the housing and having an irrigation tube for delivering irrigation fluid, a suction tube for withdrawing irrigation fluid, and electrical wiring, a first controls for adjusting flow of irrigation fluid within the irrigation tube and second controls for adjusting flow of irrigation fluid within the suction tube. A valve cassette is connected to the multi-lumen tube, which includes an irrigation valve configured to control the flow within the irrigation tube and a suction valve configured to control the flow within the suction tube. A hardware control module controls the irrigation valve and the suction valve based on control signals from the first and second controls.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of U.S. Patent Publication No.2007/0135812 filed on Dec. 12, 2005 by Joe D. Sartor, the entirecontents of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to an apparatus and method forperforming laparoscopic electrosurgical procedures, and moreparticularly, to an apparatus for controlling suction and irrigationcycles during laparoscopic electrosurgical procedures.

2. Background of Related Art

During electrosurgery, a source or active electrode delivers energy,such as radio frequency (RF) energy, from an electrosurgical generatorto a patient and a return electrode or a plurality thereof carry currentback to the electrosurgical generator. In monopolar electrosurgery, thesource electrode is typically a hand-held instrument placed by thesurgeon at the surgical site and the high current density flow at thiselectrode creates the desired surgical effect of ablating, cutting orcoagulating tissue. The patient return electrodes are placed at a remotesite from the source electrode and are typically in the form of padsadhesively adhered to the patient.

Bipolar electrosurgery is conventionally practiced using electrosurgicalforceps-type device, where the active and return electrodes are housedwithin opposing forceps' jaws. The return electrode is placed in closeproximity to the active (i.e., current supplying) electrode such that anelectrical circuit is formed between the two electrodes (e.g.,electrosurgical forceps). In this manner, the applied electrical currentis limited to the body tissue positioned between the electrodes.

During electrosurgical procedures, byproducts form at the surgical sitefrom coagulated and/or cut flesh (e.g., debris, smoke, etc.). Thisdebris may be removed by irrigating the site, where an irrigation fluidis supplied to the surgical site and then withdrawn through suction.Conventional irrigation mechanisms have been controlled mechanicallywith the mechanical controls disposed within a handle holding theelectrosurgical instrument. Such designs could not achieve a desiredlevel of suction and/or irrigation and moreover, these designs were notcompact and ergonomic.

Therefore, there is a need for an electrosurgical apparatus having anirrigation system controlled through electrical means and disposedoutside the apparatus' handle.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides for a system and apparatus forirrigating a surgical site during an electrosurgical procedure. Thesystem includes a hand piece for controlling an electrosurgicalgenerator and an irrigation system having an irrigation tube forsupplying irrigation fluid and a suction tube for withdrawing irrigationfluid and smoke. The hand piece's controls are connected to a hardwaremodule which controls irrigation and suction valves disposed within avalve cassette which adjusts the flow of the irrigation fluid andsuction. In addition, the irrigation fluid is used to cool theelectrode.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a system forirrigating a surgical site during an electrosurgical procedure isprovided. The system includes a hand piece having an elongated housingconnected to a multilumen tube extending proximally from the housing andhaving an irrigation tube for delivering irrigation fluid, a suctiontube for withdrawing irrigation fluid, and electrical wiring, the handpiece further includes first controls for adjusting flow of irrigationfluid within the irrigation tube and second controls for adjusting flowof irrigation fluid within the suction tube, the first and secondcontrols transmitting first and second control signals through theelectrical wiring; a valve cassette connected to the multilumen tube,the cassette including an irrigation valve configured to control theflow within the irrigation tube and a suction valve configured tocontrol the flow within the suction tube, the irrigation tube furtherconnected to an irrigation fluid source and the suction tube furtherconnected to a vacuum source; and a hardware control module connected tothe electrical wiring for receiving the first and second control signalsand controlling the irrigation valve through an irrigation servoactuator based on the first control signals and controlling the suctionvalve through a suction servo actuator based on the second controlsignals.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatusfor controlling irrigation at a surgical site during an electrosurgicalprocedure is provided. The apparatus includes an elongated housing, amultilumen tube extending proximally from the housing and having anirrigation tube for delivering irrigation fluid including an irrigationcheck valve, a suction tube for withdrawing irrigation fluid including asuction check valve, and electrical wiring, first and second controlsconfigured for adjusting flow of irrigation fluid within the irrigationtube and for adjusting suction within the suction tube respectively, thefirst and second controls transmitting first and second control signals,the multilumen tube connected to a valve cassette, the cassetteincluding an irrigation valve configured to control the flow within theirrigation tube and a suction valve configured to control the flowwithin the suction tube, the irrigation tube further connected to anirrigation fluid source and the suction tube further connected to avacuum source, and a hardware control module configured to receive thefirst and second control signals and controlling the irrigation valvethrough an irrigation servo actuator based on the first control signalsand controlling the suction valve through a suction servo actuator basedon the second control signals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become more apparent in light of the following detaileddescription when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating in general an electrosurgicalsystem according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a hand piece in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional perspective view of a tube extending fromthe hand piece of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a valve cassette according to an embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an active electrode with an irrigationtip according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4B is a frontal view of the active electrode with the irrigationtip of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is a cross sectional view of the active electrode with theirrigation tip of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of an active electrode with an irrigationtip according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5B is a cross sectional view of the active electrode with theirrigation tip of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an irrigation tip according to afurther embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6B is a cross sectional view of the irrigation tip of FIG. 6A,

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with referenceto the accompanying drawings. In the following description, well-knownfunctions or constructions are not described in detail to avoidobscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail.

The foregoing disclosure describes embodiments with reference to amonopolar laparoscopic surgical instrument. However, principles of thepresent disclosure may be utilized in a bipolar instrument as well assuitable open instruments.

An electrosurgical system and method to be used to perform cauteryprocedures, hemostatis, and other suitable procedures are provided. Thesystem provides irrigation and/or suction (e.g., a vacuum line), whichmay be performed contemporaneously with the electrosurgical procedure orafter the procedure is complete. In some embodiment, the irrigationfluid may be used to cool the electrosurgical cautery electrode toreduce eschar build-up, modify tissue effect, and/or prevent inadvertentburns from a heated electrode.

Embodiments of the presently disclosed electrosurgical system will nowbe described in detail with reference to the drawings wherein likereference numerals identify similar or identical elements. As usedherein, the term “distal” refers to that portion that is further fromthe user while the term “proximal” refers to that portion that is closerto the user.

FIG. 1 shows an electrosurgical system including a generator 10, a handpiece 12 (e.g., an electrosurgical pencil) having an active electrode 14at a distal end thereof which is brought in contact with a patient P toeffect a cut and/or coagulation procedure depending upon the selectedoperating mode. The active electrode 14 is an electrically conductingelement that is usually elongated and may be in the form of a thin flatblade with a pointed or rounded distal end. Alternatively, the activeelectrode 14 may include an elongated narrow cylindrical needle which issolid or hollow with a flat, rounded, pointed or slanted distal end.

Attached to the patient P is a return electrode 16 that returns theelectrosurgical current from the patient P to the generator 10. The handpiece 12 is coupled to the generator 10 via a multilumen tube 18extending from a proximal end of the hand piece 12. In one embodiment,the multilumen tube 18 includes electrical wires for supplying theelectrosurgical energy to the active electrode 14 as well as electricalpower for the controls of the hand piece 12.

The active electrode 14 may be used laparoscopically, e.g., insertedinto a body cavity through a percutaneous incision. To accomplish this,the electrode 14 may be introduced into a body cavity through a suitabletrocar (not shown). The trocar may include an elongated tube thatpenetrates the body cavity with its distal end and the electrode 14 isintroduced thereto through its proximal end. In addition, the trocar mayinclude a hemostatic valve disposed at its proximal end to preventbackflow of gases.

The hand piece 12 also includes an irrigation tip that irrigates thesurgical site, the details of which will be described below. Othercomponents of the irrigation system, such as irrigation fluid supply andvalve mechanisms may be disposed within the generator 10 or within aseparate stand-alone device such as a suitable cassette. The irrigationand suction lines are coupled from the irrigation system to the handpiece 12 and thereafter to the irrigation tip and may be included withinthe multilumen tube 18.

The irrigation system supplies a suitable irrigation fluid such as asaline solution, through the irrigation tip near the active electrode14. The irrigation fluid is used to cool the active electrode 14 duringelectrosurgical usage to reduce or eliminate eschar (e.g., sloughed-offdead tissue caused by a burn or cauterization). In addition, theirrigation fluid may be used to remove any debris caused by theelectrosurgical procedure.

The hand piece 12 remains outside the body cavity and outside the trocarand allows the surgeon to control the electrosurgical operations as wellas irrigation cycles. Referring to FIG. 2A, the hand piece 12 accordingto one embodiment of the disclosure is shown and includes a variety ofcontrols within an elongated housing 19. The hand piece 12 includes modeselection controls 20 that allow the surgeon to select the operatingmode for the generator 10 (e.g., cut, coagulation, blend). Generally,generators operate in a plurality of modes, e.g., cut, coagulation, orblend, accomplished by using different current waveforms. Using aconstant waveform, a generator allows a surgeon to vaporize or cuttissue since a constant waveform produces heat very rapidly. Using anintermittent waveform causes a generator's duty cycle to be reduced tocoagulate tissue. A blended current allows for a mixture of the twoabove waveforms to achieve intermediate results. The hand piece 12 alsoincludes intensity controls 22 that allow the surgeon to modify thepower of the energy being supplied to the active electrode 14, which issupported within the housing 19 and extends distally therefrom.

The hand piece 12 also includes controls for adjusting the irrigationsystem. More specifically, the hand piece 12 may include an irrigationcontroller 24 which activates and deactivates the flow of the irrigationfluid and an irrigation volume adjuster 26 which adjusts the flow volumeof the irrigation fluid. In addition, the hand piece 12 includes asuction control 28 which activates and deactivates vacuum suctionapparatus to withdraw the aspirated irrigation fluid. A suction volumeadjuster 30 controls a setting level of the vacuum pump which controlsthe rate at which irrigation fluid is withdrawn.

The mode selection controls 20, intensity controls 22, irrigation volumeadjuster 26 and suction volume adjuster 30 are operatively connected toa voltage divider network (“VDN”) (e.g., a film-type potentiometer). Forthe purposes herein, the term “voltage divider network” relates to anysuitable form of resistive, capacitive or inductive circuit thatdetermines the output voltage across a voltage source (e.g., one of twoimpedances) connected in series. A “voltage divider” as used hereinrelates to a number of resistors connected in series which are providedwith taps at certain points to make available a fixed or variablefraction of the applied voltage. An example of a hand piece employingsuch a voltage divider is discussed in a commonly-owned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/718,113 entitled “Electrosurgical Pencil WithImproved Controls,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety, It is also envisioned that the irrigation volume adjuster 26and suction volume adjuster 30 divider networks may be aligned with asingle slide (not explicitly shown) wherein moving of the slide in onedirection adjusts flow of irrigation fluid and moving the slide inanother direction adjusts flow of aspirated irrigation fluid.

The multilumen tube 18 extends proximally from the housing 19 andincludes multiple lumens containing conduits for electrical wiring 36,an irrigation tube 32 that supplies the irrigation fluid to a surgicalsite, and suction tube 34 that withdraws the irrigation fluid byproviding a conduit to a suitable vacuum source. The electrical wiring36 includes wires for transmitting electrosurgical current to the activeelectrode 14 and control current for transmitting input signals from thecontrols of the hand piece 12. Using DC voltage to transmit inputsignals is well known in the art and is described in commonly owned U.S.Pat. Nos. 3,699,967 and 3,801,800, both of which are hereby incorporatedby reference in their entirety.

As shown in FIG. 2B, an irrigation check valve 31 and a suction checkvalve 33 are disposed within the irrigation tube 32 and the suction tube34, respectively, at the proximal end of the hand piece 12. The suctioncheck valve 33 may be of “duck bill” design or in some embodiment may bea flap. Orientation of the suction check valve 33 allows fluids andvacuum to flow with minimum resistance therethrough but prevents fluidfrom draining in the opposing direction.

The irrigation check valve 31 may also be of “duck bill” design, as wellas, a poppet, a flap, a spring-loaded ball type check valve, or anysuitable check valve that may be inserted modularly into the irrigationtube. The irrigation check valve 31 is configured to open undersufficient opening pressure to allow for irrigation fluid to flowtherethrough. Opening pressure from about 6 inches to about 48 inches ofwater column pressure is sufficient to prevent fluid in the irrigationtube 32 from draining through the hand piece 12 when an irrigation valve42 is closed (see FIG. 3). The pressure is also sufficient to provideminimum resistance to flow pressure when the irrigation valve 42 isopen.

With reference to FIG. 3, the multilumen tube 18 couples the hand piece12 to a valve cassette 40 that includes suitable mechanisms forcontrolling the in-flow and out-flow of the irrigation fluid at thesurgical site. The electrical wiring 36 is coupled to a contact block 38which provides an electrical interface between the hand piece 12 and thegenerator 10. More specifically, the contact block 38 is electricallycoupled to a hardware control module 50 that monitors and controls theoperation of the generator 10 and the valve cassette 40. The controlmodule 50 may include electronic circuitry such as a microprocessor,memory, and comparators for performing a variety of functions within thepurview of those skilled in the art (e.g., comparing values, receivingcontrol signals, converting analog signals to and from digital signals,issuing control commands to generator 10 and valve cassette 40, etc.).

The valve cassette 40 includes a suction valve 44 which controls vacuumwithin the suction tube 34. Opening the suction valve 44 creates vacuumwithin the suction tube 34 by providing access to a vacuum pump (notexplicitly shown) thereby leading to siphoning off of the aspiratedirrigation fluid. Closing the suction valve 44 terminates access to thevacuum pump. Regulating the position of the suction valve 44 allows thesurgeon to modulate the amount of suction.

The suction valve 44 may be regulated by a vacuum servo actuator 45 thatopens and closes the valves based on control signals from the controlmodule 50. The control signals originate from the suction control 28 andthe suction volume adjuster 30 and are transmitted to the control module50 along the electrical wiring 36 and through the contact block 38.

The valve cassette 40 also includes the irrigation valve 42 that adjuststhe aperture of the irrigation tube 36, thereby adjusting the flow ofthe irrigation fluid to the surgical site. The irrigation valve 42 maybe controlled by an irrigation servo actuator 43 receives controlsignals from the control module 50. The irrigation fluid may bedispensed from a pressurized bag 46 that may be compressed by a servoregulator 48 (e.g., an air supply pump).

In one embodiment, flow of the irrigation fluid is regulated in thefollowing manner. Initially, the surgeon selects desired pressure forsupplying the irrigation fluid. Thereafter, control signals aretransmitted from the irrigation controller 24 and the irrigation volumeadjuster 26 through the electrical wiring 36 and the contact block 38.The desired flow/pressure may be achieved by increasing pressure on thepressurized bag 46 and leaving the irrigation valve 42 open.Alternatively, the pressure on the pressurized bag 46 may remain staticand the irrigation valve 42 may be adjusted to achieve the desired flowrate. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that irrigation fluid maybe stored in a variety of containers (e.g., a storage tank) and bedispensed using a pump. The pump may be controlled by varying the pump'spressure between zero and maximum setting, e.g., a variable speed pump.The irrigation volume adjuster 26 includes a VDN may delivers a controlvoltage to the pump varying its output pressure.

FIGS. 4A-C show the active electrode 14 with an irrigation tip 56. Theactive electrode 14 is bent into an L-shaped configuration. However, theelectrode 14 may be in a variety of suitable shapes and configurations(e.g., spatula, needle, ball-point, solid, hollow, etc.). The activeelectrode 14 is positioned between an irrigation opening 52 and asuction opening 54 as shown in FIGS. 4A-C. In one embodiment, theirrigation tip 56 is made from an insulative material to preventaccidental shock to the patient.

It is envisioned that during an electrosurgical procedure the irrigationfluid passes through the irrigation opening 52 and into the surgicalsite to wash away any debris generated during the surgical procedure.The irrigation fluid is then suctioned off through the suction opening54 to evacuate the debris from the surgical site. In addition, the smokegenerated during the procedure is also evacuated. The irrigation tip 56may have a plurality of irrigation openings 52 and suction openings 54.

The present invention also contemplates that the irrigation fluid isused to cool the active electrode 14 in order to maintain the tip of theelectrode 14 at a temperature below that of eschar formation (e.g., 100°C.). The active electrode 14 may include specific geometry that improvesheat transfer from the surface of the active electrode 14 to theirrigation fluid (e.g., grooves chiseled therein). To achieve efficientheat transfer from the active electrode 14, the irrigation fluid may bepassed at a sufficiently slow rate so that the fluid flows along theactive electrode 14 via capillary action and into the suction opening54. The irrigation and suction openings 52, 54 extend for the samedistance longitudinally to accommodate for irrigation of the activeelectrode 14.

It is also envisioned that the suction opening 54 may extend furtherthan the irrigation opening 52. This arrangement allows the irrigationfluid to flow along a larger segment of the active electrode 14 than anarrangement where the irrigation and suction paths are approximately thesame length. As a result, the active electrode 14 transfers more heat tothe irrigation fluid. Such additional cooling may be utilized inelectrosurgical procedures that have higher energy requirements, sincesuch procedures generate more heat and require more cooling to alleviateeschar formation. In addition, extending the suction opening 54 allowsfor irrigation fluid to be jetted beyond the active electrode 14allowing for better irrigation of the surgical site.

FIGS. 5A-B show another embodiment of the active electrode 14 and theirrigation tip 56, where the active electrode 14 is positioned above theirrigation and suction openings 52, 54. This arrangement may beparticularly useful where cooling of the electrode 14 is secondary toproviding proper irrigation and evacuation of the debris and smoke fromthe surgical site. As shown in FIG. 5B, the irrigation opening 52includes a lip 53 to direct the flow of the irrigation fluid downwardand into the surgical site, which allows for rapid irrigation of thesurgical site.

FIGS. 6A-B show an irrigation adapter 58 without the active electrode14. The irrigation adapter 58 includes an irrigation opening 60 and afront suction opening 64. The irrigation adapter 58 may include a ball63 serving a ball valve 65, such as when the suction is on or theirrigation adapter 58 is pressed against a surface (e.g., tissue) theball 63 retracts to allow for irrigation fluid to pass through the frontsuction opening 64. In addition, the irrigation adapter 58 also includesone or more side suction opening 62.

FIG. 6B shows a cross sectional view of the irrigation adapter 58 andits connectivity to the irrigation tube 32 and the suction tube 34. Theirrigation fluid enters the irrigation adapter 58 through an irrigationpassage 66 and flows through an irrigation channel 70 of the irrigationadapter 58. The irrigation fluid is extracted through a suction channel72 and enters the suction tube 34 through a suction passage 68. Thesuction passage 72 extends further than the irrigation passage 70 toallow for separated and distinct in and out flow paths.

The irrigation adapter 58 is coupled to the irrigation and suction tubesby a plurality of ridges 74, 76, 78, 80. The ridges 74, 76 are incontact with the top and bottom outside surfaces of the suction passage68 and the ridges 78, 80 are in contact with the top outside surface ofthe irrigation passage 70 and the suction passage 80, respectively. Ineffect, the ridges 78, 80 secure the entire irrigation adapter 58, whilethe ridges 78, 80 provide additional support to the suction passage 72that extends beyond the length of the irrigation passage 70.

It is envisioned that the irrigation and suction system of the presentdisclosure may be utilized as a stand-alone system (e.g., not part of anelectrosurgical apparatus). The described embodiments of the presentdisclosure are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive, andare not intended to represent every embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Various modifications and variations can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the disclosure as set forth in thefollowing claims both literally and in equivalents recognized in law.

1. A system for irrigating a surgical site during an electrosurgicalprocedure, comprising: a hand piece having a housing with a multi-lumentube extending therefrom and an electrode operatively associatedtherewith disposed in electrical communication with a generator, themulti-lumen tube including an irrigation tube configured to deliverirrigation fluid and a suction tube configured to withdraw irrigationfluid, the irrigation tube coupled to an irrigation fluid source and thesuction tube coupled to a vacuum source, each of the irrigation tube andsuction tube disposed in fluid communication with an irrigation tiphaving at least one outlet defined therein that supplies irrigationfluid and at least one inlet defined therein that withdraws irrigationfluid, wherein the at least one inlet is distal relative to the at leastone outlet with respect to a the irrigation tip, the disposition of theat least one inlet opening permitting irrigation fluid to flow along alarger segment of the electrode thereby maximizing the transfer of heatfrom the electrode to the irrigation fluid.
 2. A system of claim 1,wherein the hand piece further includes first controls configured toadjust the flow of irrigation fluid within the irrigation tube, secondcontrols configured to adjust suction within the suction tube and thirdcontrols configured to allow the selection of an operating mode of thegenerator.
 3. A system of claim 1, further including a valve cassettecoupled to the multi-lumen tube, the valve cassette including anirrigation valve configured to control the flow within the irrigationtube and a suction valve configured to control the flow within thesuction tube.
 4. A system of claim 3, wherein the handpiece includeselectrical wiring configured to transmit electrosurgical energy from thegenerator to the electrode, the first and second controls transmittingfirst and second control signals through the electrical wiring.
 5. Asystem of claim 4, wherein a hardware control module is coupled to theelectrical wiring and configured to receive the first and second controlsignals and is operable to control the irrigation valve based on thefirst control signals and to control the suction valve based on thesecond control signals, wherein the hardware control module monitors andcontrols the operation of the generator and valve cassette.
 6. A systemof claim 1, wherein the irrigation source is a pressurized bag.
 7. Asystem of claim 6, further comprising a servo regulator configured toadjust pressure within the pressurized bag.
 8. A system of claim 1,wherein the irrigation fluid is delivered by a variable speed pump fromthe irrigation source.
 9. An apparatus for controlling irrigation at asurgical site during an electrosurgical procedure, comprising: a handpiece having a housing with a multi-lumen tube extending therefrom andan electrode operatively associated therewith disposed in electricalcommunication with a generator, the multi-lumen tube including anirrigation tube configured to deliver irrigation fluid and a suctiontube configured to withdraw irrigation fluid, the irrigation tubecoupled to an irrigation fluid source and the suction tube coupled to avacuum source, each of the irrigation tube and suction tube disposed influid communication with an irrigation tip having at least one outletdefined therein that supplies irrigation fluid and at least one inletdefined therein that withdraws irrigation fluid, wherein the at leastone inlet is distal relative to the at least one outlet with respect toa the irrigation tip, the disposition of the at least one inlet openingpermitting irrigation fluid to flow along a larger segment of theelectrode thereby maximizing the transfer of heat from the electrode tothe irrigation fluid.
 10. An apparatus of claim 9, wherein the handpiece further includes first controls configured to adjust the flow ofirrigation fluid within the irrigation tube, second controls configuredto adjust suction within the suction tube and third controls configuredto allow the selection of an operating mode of the generator.
 11. Anapparatus of claim 9, further including a valve cassette coupled to themulti-lumen tube, the valve cassette including an irrigation valveconfigured to control the flow within the irrigation tube and a suctionvalve configured to control the flow within the suction tube.
 12. Anapparatus of claim 11, wherein the handpiece includes electrical wiringconfigured to transmit electrosurgical energy from the generator to theelectrode, the first and second controls transmitting first and secondcontrol signals through the electrical wiring.
 13. An apparatus of claim12, wherein a hardware control module is coupled to the electricalwiring and configured to receive the first and second control signalsand is operable to control the irrigation valve based on the firstcontrol signals and to control the suction valve based on the secondcontrol signals, wherein the hardware control module monitors andcontrols the operation of the generator and valve cassette.
 14. Anapparatus of claim 9, wherein the irrigation source is a pressurizedbag.
 15. An apparatus of claim 9, wherein the electrode is disposedbetween the at least one inlet opening and the at least one outletopening.
 16. An apparatus of claim 9, wherein the irrigation tipincludes a ball valve disposed at the at least one inlet opening toselectively prevent irrigation fluid from flowing therethrough.
 17. Asystem for irrigating a surgical site during an electrosurgicalprocedure, comprising: a generator; an electrode; a hand piece adaptedto selectively couple to the generator and in operable communicationwith the electrode, the hand piece having a housing with a multi-lumentube extending therefrom, the multi-lumen tube including an irrigationtube adapted to couple to a fluid source and a suction tube adapted tocouple to a vacuum source; and an irrigation tip having at least oneoutlet defined therein that supplies irrigation fluid and at least oneinlet defined therein that withdraws irrigation fluid while theelectrode is active, the irrigation tip in fluid communication with eachof the irrigation tube and suction tube, the at least one inlet isdistal relative to the at least one outlet with respect to a distal tipof the irrigation tip, the disposition of the at least one inletpermitting irrigation fluid to flow along a larger segment of theelectrode thereby maximizing the transfer of heat from the electrode tothe irrigation fluid.
 18. A system of claim 17, further including anirrigation fluid source in fluid communication with the irrigation tubefor delivering irrigation fluid and a vacuum source in fluidcommunication with the suction tube for withdrawing irrigation fluid.